27-14-8

I haven’t written about the Rangers in a month, which is odd. I usually do it once a week, but the start of 2023 has been hectic. Thankfully the Rangers have kept themselves (and me) largely on track. A month ago their record was 19-11-5.

Going 8-3-3 means that more points than not have been added. That’s good but with competition so fierce, every point is essential. There were some tough OT losses (Devils and Toronto) and some outright terrible loses (Canadians).

The team wasn’t high-scoring this month. That’s in large part because the Power Play remains ineffective. There was one this week and something like 2-22. That’s terrible and has cost them games. The once-feared offensive special teams are now nothing to worry about—too much passing, too much waiting around, and not enough movement. Since a one goal lead is nothing in the NHL–if you are ahead or behind–getting the man advantage and scoring on it can change the course of a game. Last season’s special teams were integral to the long playoff run and that’s missing. The standings are so close that at the end of a week standings can look much different. Thankfully the penalty kill is doing well.

Galland seems to have found good remixed lineups this week. Kreider is on the second line with Trocheck and Vesey (Trocheck and Panarin haven’t clicked, unfortunately). The Kid line has been reformed and they’re thriving. Chytil is on fire with 8 goals and a handful of assists in the last 11 games. Sammy Blais has been sent down to the farm team in place of 2020 second round draft pick Will Cuylle. Blais’ knee injury has held back his play so much that it can’t be ignored any longer. Cuylle is on the fourth line to get used to the play of the NHL and he looks to be doing well and could likely take Blais’ spot. The fourth line is more or less a mash of misfit toys–by far the weakest line as it has been for years–but the win against Vegas last night showed that they can hang. And props to Halak for having his game of the season! He gave Vegas fits and the only one he let by was a fluke.

Turnovers and the power play are the most glaring issues that have been going on for far too long. Once again the moves at the trade deadline will be immensely important to patch holes in the Rangers’ game.